Can Montana balance conservation, hunting to save disappearing mule deer population?

There are several places to lay blame for the mule deer population decline in south-central and Eastern Montana: disease, weather extremes, loss of habitat, predators and nonresident hunters are some of the popular themes.

Region 7, in southeast Montana, has seen the biggest drop in mule deer populations , a 37% decline in the long-term average. Region 5 in south-central Montana comes in second with a 26% drop, followed closely by Region 7 in northeastern Montana at minus 24%.

Statewide, in the last 10 years, estimates of mule deer populations have fallen 19%. So it's clear Montana, as well as other western states, is seeing a decline of an iconic western species.

“In parts of the state, especially eastern Montana, there’s a lot of concern over mule deer,” said FWP Director Christy